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Rock of Odd Fellowship
1884
F. Stuart; T.C. Fielding
USA: Massachusetts, Boston
Lithograph on paper
overall: 29-1/2"h x 23-1/2"w
Gift of Mrs. Harold F. Price
84.28

Rock of Odd Fellowship lithograph; Independent Order of Odd Fellows symbols include all-seeing eye at top, Bible and three entwined links, angels with trumpets, crown, portrait of man identified as "Ridgely"; Corinthian columns with monograms on base; other small vignettes include scenes of hand and heart, clasped hands, man teaching children, people at bedside, family, king and servant, scene of funeral encampment, cherubs holding ribbon reading "Victory of the Links," and other religious scenes; portrait of man on bottom identified as "Wildey"; at bottom "Copyright 1884 by T. C. Fielding, Boston, Mass. / Designed and Published by Past Grand T. C. Fielding / F. T. Stuart, Boston" with monogram "TCF Fecit." Below the all-seeing eye at top center are some Hebrew characters that translate to "The Truth."


The Independent Order of Odd Fellows began in England in 1745 and came to the United States in 1819. Inspired by Freemasonry, Odd Fellows teach moral lessons through rituals and symbols, and grant degrees. This print shows many Odd Fellows symbols, including the heart-and-hand, reminding members that the work they perform should come from the heart, free from selfish motives, and the three links, representing Friendship, Love and Truth. The American branch of the Odd Fellows was organized in Baltimore by Thomas Wildey (1782-1861), who is pictured on the print at bottom center. Born in England and apprenticed as a coach-spring maker, Wildey later worked as a coachmaker and came to the United States in 1817. The man shown in the center of the print is James L. Ridgely (1807-1881). Ridgely was a lawyer in Baltimore who joined an Odd Fellows lodge there in 1829. He was Grand Secretary for the group from 1841 until his death, as well as an author of some of its rituals. By 1907, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows had almost one million members in the United States. All members contributed to a fund that was used to assist sick and distressed members, as well as their widows and orphans. In 1851, the group's female auxiliary, the Daughters of Rebekah, was founded. For further information, see Blog post, November 14, 2008, http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2008/11/a-surprisingly-popular-print.html